Redefining a Social Norm: A New Trend for a New Year!
Don’t remain stuck in old thinking. Join the throng of young people setting new lifestyle trends by saying no to alcohol and yes to tea.
By default, you might presume this new trend among millennials and Gen Z to be bad, but you’d be mistaken. Being a witness to previous generations where healthy eating and exercise did not play a predominant role, a new generation more focused on their physical and mental health is emerging.
Today, younger adults who drink are less likely to be regular drinkers compared to the past. This change in drinking habits is also reflected in the decreased rate of self-reported overdrinking. Alcohol just isn’t healthy and good health is now what’s in.
Why Is Drinking Less Alcohol Better For You?
Study after study shows the increased risk of disease and mental disorders associated with alcohol consumption. Even moderate to low amounts of alcohol increase your risk of cancer, a multitude of liver and heart issues, a compromised immune system, inflammation of the digestive system, and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
Drinking alcohol is also responsible for an increase in injury and violent altercations that can sometimes lead to death. Some of these include intoxicated-related car crashes and accidents such as losing one’s balance. Alcohol has also contributed to instances of violence towards others as well as suicide.
Reducing your alcohol intake can only reduce your risk. The only way to eliminate all risks associated with alcohol is to abstain from alcohol completely, but that can be really hard for some. So, reducing the amount you drink is a step in the right direction.
The Correlation Between Decreased Alcohol Intake and Increased Tea Popularity
Millennials and Gen Z tend to be way more conscious of their health and this can be recognized in their lifestyle behaviors which would include eating and drinking habits. Studies indicate that the younger generation is leaning away from unhealthy drinks such as alcohol, but that they are at the same time increasing their consumption of beverages like tea.
The more we understand about tea, the more we learn about the health benefits. Our ancient ancestors must have known something that our modern medicine is slowly catching up to. In fact, studies indicate that consistent patterns of tea drinking have the opposite effect of alcohol. Here are many of the health benefits tea may have to offer.
- Protection against Chronic Disease: Tea is full of antioxidants. These guys are little protectors of the cell that prevent free radicals from taking over which can lead to a plethora of chronic diseases. It may also reduce your risk of certain cancers.
- Improved Cardiovascular Health: Regular tea drinking has connections to better heart health including reduced risk of heart disease, improved overall cholesterol levels, and lower blood pressure.
- Better Digestive Health: While alcohol hurts the digestive system, certain herbal teas can help it. We have an entire category dedicated to digestive teas.
- Reduced Stress: With the help of L-theanine present in tea, you can benefit from the calming and relaxing effect it can have on the body. Shop all Stress-Relief Teas.
- A Boosted Immune System: The combination of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds contributes to the body’s increased ability to fight infection. See all Immune Boosting Teas.
- Reduced Inflammation: As mentioned, tea contains anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce overall inflammation in the body.
The History of Alcohol and Tea
Sometime in the 19th century, we had something known as the temperance movement. This was less about improving people’s health and more about maintaining the peace. Alcohol was contributing to domestic abuse, lost wages through the purchase of alcohol and gambling, and violence. The temperance movement was kind of aimed at changing all of that. Their tactic was to replace Saloons with Tea Houses. This strategy worked at creating social opportunities that didn’t involve alcohol.
While it kind of worked at shifting society in a more positive, socio-economic direction, a byproduct may also have been improved health and less death and violence. The history of tea is just so awesome. Click here to read more on this subject.
What Can you Do to Improve Your Health?
The first thing you can do, if you drink alcohol is eliminate or at least reduce your intake. The new year is a perfect opportunity to do just this. After the excesses of the holidays, many participate in what is known as “Dry January.” This is where you go the entire month refraining from drinking any alcohol. After the month is over, many decide to continue abstaining. By avoiding alcohol, you can reduce the ongoing damage you are doing to your body.
The next thing you can do is begin a regular routine of drinking tea. There are many different types of tea and finding the tea you like is the trick. You could ask, “Which one is the healthy?” We would respond by saying, “The one you’ll actually drink.” You can shop our Tea by Benefit page or browse our Teas by category. To learn more about which tea is right for you, you can visit our Tea 101 page or learn more about each Tea Type. Big changes happen with small, consistent and persisted effort over time.
Here are a few of our most popular teas. You can also check out our Tea Samplers which can be a great way of becoming acquainted with the various tea categories and options.
Starting the New Year off Right
So, if you want to join the trend of young people, whether you be old or young, who are getting healthier by reducing their alcohol intake and regularly drinking tea, consider participating in a dry month of zero alcohol accentuated by the joys of starting a new tea drinking habit. We suggest you start here >>>
Millennials and Gen Z drive 21st-Century Tea Preferences | World Tea News
Alcohol’s Effects on the Body | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) (nih.gov)
